Chicago Department of Aviation Releases Sustainability Report

CHICAGO - The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has released its 2012 Sustainability Report, A Sustainable Path, which documents the CDA’s green accomplishments at O’Hare and Midway International Airports last year. It also sets forth goals for Chicago to maintain its position as a global leader in airport sustainability.

The CDA implemented numerous airport industry-leading initiatives last year to improve natural resource conservation, operational efficiency, social responsibility, and economic viability at O’Hare and Midway International Airports. The CDA is seeking creative ways to further reduce emissions and energy use, conserve water and natural resources, salvage and recycle materials, reduce waste, and educate passengers and the local community.

“Under the leadership of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the CDA continues to fully embrace sustainability with a strong commitment to incorporating the best environmental, social and economic practices at Chicago’s airports,” said CDA Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino. “2012 marked a year of great progress for the CDA and the beginning of 2013 sets the stage for a new year of even higher expectations and challenges as we continue to showcase our leadership in airport sustainability.”

A Sustainable Path describes the CDA’s five key sustainability goals and the underlying targets to achieve each by 2015:

Community – Reach the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program’s Top Ten ranking as a means to measure and evaluate passenger experience

The CDA plays a crucial role in the City’s objective to advance environmental and economic prosperity for Chicago and the region, and has aligned its vision to mutually benefit Chicago’s airports and the city as a whole. A Sustainable Path complements and promotes the City of Chicago’s Sustainable Chicago 2015 Action Agenda. For example, to achieve its targets, the CDA plans to:

Saving the equivalent water usage of 1,750 Chicago households by upgrading water fixtures

Releasing an RFP for up to 52 acres of solar development at O’Hare

“Retro-commissioning” O’Hare Terminal 5 and the Aviation Administration building

Maintaining a total of 8 acres of vegetated green roofs

Enhancing and restoring wetlands at 8 separate locations

Producing over one thousand pounds of produce at the O’Hare Aeroponic Garden to provide healthy, local food for O’Hare passengers

Issuing a SAM Green Airplane rating to seven restaurants at O’Hare and Midway under the Concessions and Tenants rating system and the O’Hare Airport Maintenance Complex under the Operations and Maintenance rating system.

Visit the CDA’s website to download a copy of A Sustainable Path. The website also contains additional information on the department’s sustainability goals and accomplishments, including the 2011 Sustainability Report, the most recent version of the CDA Sustainable Airport Manual, and information on the annual Airports Going Green Conference.

The City of Chicago’s Sustainable Chicago 2015 Action Agenda is available to view/download here.

The Chicago Department of Aviation ( CDA) is self-supporting, using no local or state tax dollars for operations or capital improvements at O’Hare and Midway International airports.

Together, Chicago’s airports generate more than $45 billion in annual economic activity and create 540,000 jobs for the region. Please visit www.flychicago.com to learn more about the Chicago Department of Aviation.